Last week, I mentioned that language might be what separates us from the chimpanzees. But primatologist Robert Sapolsky disagrees. He argues that what makes humans special is ..... anticipation. In this video, Dr Sapolsky discusses the relationship between anticipation and dopamine (and how our big brains can maintain high anticipation levels for literally decades) and how those qualities make humans special. His conclusion? "There's no monkey out there willing to lever press because St Peter is down the line."

This video is a five-minute excerpt from a longer lecture. Do you have time to watch the entire lecture [1:16.08]? If so, here it is, thanks to FORA.tv:

Dr Robert Sapolsky is professor of biology and neurology at Stanford University and a research associate with the Institute of Primate Research at the National Museums of Kenya. In addition to being a well-respected scientist, he has written a number of excellent popular books on a variety of topics (most of which I read as a graduate student), including The Trouble with Testosterone [Amazon UK; Amazon US], Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers [Amazon UK; Amazon US] and A Primate's Memoir: A Neuroscientist's Unconventional Life Among the Baboons [Amazon UK; Amazon US].

FORA.tv is an online provider of video programs from conferences, summits, public forums, university debates and think tanks. They are on facebook and can also be found on twitter @FORAtv